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Aboriginal kinship program (Grannies group)

Reach:

SA

Focus area:

Indigenous

Status:

Current

Evaluated:

No

Overview

The Aboriginal kinship program (Grannies group) is a peer support network of Aboriginal grandparents who advocate on behalf of issues affecting their children, grandchildren and their community. The grandparents meet every fortnight at the Parks Community Centre in Adelaide, South Australia. The meetings focus on:

discussing drug use issues and the effect on the community

providing support to other grandmothers, grandfathers and families

discussing issues with relevant representatives from government, Aboriginal and community organisations

providing opportunities for people to access outreach support

working cooperatively with all key stakeholders to provide direction of issues impacting on the Aboriginal community.

The aims of the group are:

to establish network and support systems within the group and community

to reduce drug related deaths in the Nunga community

to create an awareness of drug issues and to offer support and encouragement for a community approach to resolving issues

to ensure grandmothers and grandfathers can access financial assistance when caring for their grandchildren

to ensure Aboriginal organisations that receive funding to service the Aboriginal community are accountable

to inform others within and outside the community about its purpose and hopes of achievement.